Min slams Guv over CM visit remarks
Says TN received investment to the tune of Rs 2 lakh crore after CM MK Stalin took over
CHENNAI: Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu on Tuesday slammed Governor RN Ravi for his veiled critique of Chief Minister MK Stalin’s recent foreign tour and said that it was quite unfortunate that the Governor was making such “unwanted” and “politically motivated” comments about the state government.
Talking to reporters at the Secretariat, Thangam Thennarasu said, “It is essential for any state, especially the Chief Minister or the Industries Minister
to undertake such visits to foreign countries or industrial houses in order to receive investments. It has happened in the past and it will happen in the future. It is completely politically motivated and uncalled for on the part of the Governor to make such remarks.”
Wondering if TN CM was the only person to go on such investment-attracting tours, the Minister referred to similar tours undertaken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his stint as the Chief Minister of Gujarat and said, “Did he visit then because there was no conducive investment climate (in Gujarat)? We consider that the Governor has fired barbs at the incumbent PM. We are wondering if he’s referring to the tours undertaken by Modi as Gujarat CM. Only the BJP must respond.”
Reacting to a specific query on the Governor’s comment on the investment conduciveness of the state in the meeting of Vice Chancellors, the Minister said, “It is the most inappropriate comment he has made because the state has completely geared up and has received investment to the tune of Rs 2 lakh crore so far after the government under the able leadership of our Chief Minister took office.”
On the frequent face off with the Governor, Thennarasu said, “It is not that we are hell bent on criticising the Governor. Only when the Governor exceeds his Constitutional obligations or limits, we are left with no option but to respond.” The Minister claimed that the government’s relationship with the Governor was very smooth and they are bestowing best respect on him.
Quoting statistics to rebut Governor’s critique of the foreign tours, the Minister said that between January 2022 and April 2023, about 108 firms have invested Rs 1.81 lakh crore and 1.94 lakh jobs were generated. Pointing out that that number of registered companies and jobs in the state increased from 4,79,213 firms and 36,63,938 employees in 2021-22 to 7,39,296 firms and 47,14,000 jobs in 2022-23, the Minister said that the Governor was trying to project a job scarcity, which is not true.